(With thanks to the late Ray Goodbold MBE, author & sportsman.)
Ryedale Sports Club was first conceived as Ryedale Cricket Club in 1959 by Alan Pickup, a well-known Pickering man. When it was officially inaugurated on 29th February 1960, the club had no ground and played only friendly games.
In the same year the club was offered the use of a field on Thornton Road by Mr. John Frank of Irish Hall.
A wooden pavilion was built in 1962 and by 1963 it was used also by table tennis members. The ground was purchased in 1964 and by 1969 a hockey team was formed.
A year later tennis courts were built and the club changed its name to Ryedale Sports Club. Later a senior football section was added and by 1974 the club had its own football pitch and could play at home instead of using other pitches around town. In 1975 club rules were drawn up by John Ellis and a ladies cricket team was also formed.

A fund was created in 1976 to pay for the building of a more substantial clubhouse. The clubhouse was designed in 1978 and completed in 1980 at an overall cost of about £30,000.
To be continued (we hope).
P.S. Copies of “The History of RSC – the First 40 Years” are still available from us, please see Ron Cosens or your sports rep.
From the archives:-
It’s amazing what you can find….



